An hour and a half’s drive from Luxor, Dandara is ground to the best preserved temple complexes in Egypt. The first of the temples within the complex dates back to 1500 BC, while the currently standing oldest temple is believed to be constructed between 360-343 BC. Surrounded by a hefty mud brick wall enclosing 40,000 square meters of area, Temple Of Dandara was a site for chapels and shrines since the earliest of history of the country.
Tourism In Egypt has some of the most attractive Egyptian Sites and an interesting contemporary culture, the trove of antiquities is what attracts most visitors.
From comprehensive sightseeing tours, accommodation arrangements and transportation formalities- every aspect of your Egypt Tours will be carefully handpicked to cater to your taste and interest. All you must do now is sit back and enjoy the show!
Nile Holiday brings you some very remarkable and ingenious Egyptian Temples has to offer. Let’s break them up according to their settings.
History Of The Temples
Built in the 1st century BC by Ptolemy VIII and Cleopatra II, the temple is dedicated to Hathor, goddess of maternity, love and music. The walls are decorated with images of the depiction and life of the beautiful Cleopatra and the Ptolemy dynasty. It also contains a relief known as the Dandara Zodiac bearing the earliest known forms of Zodiac signs.
The Layout Of The Temple
- Careful removal of dust from the ceiling has revealed some of the most beautiful ancient paintings underneath. The ceiling of the main hall contains the most vibrant and colourful paintings.
- The second hall is featured with 6 columns decorated with rich capitals and granite pedestals. The sides of the hall were used as store rooms that stored jars coming as gifts or from other kingdoms.
- There also exists a central chapel that has two aisles. One of the aisles was used for the sacrifices that were offered to Goddess Hathor and the other for the sacred boat. The walls are beautifully decorated with reliefs depicting Ptolemy and other rulers and their way of life.
- There is also a small corridor on the right side of the temple which leads to a small room containing the crypt. The stairs inside the temple are in sets of twelve, each depicting a month of the year.
Other Attractions In This Area
The other main attractions here include the Temple of the birth of Isis, Sacred Lake, Sanatorium, Roman Mammisi, a Barque shrine, Gateways of Domitian and Trajan, among others.
Present Condition Of The Temple
The Dandara Temple complex is helped from the fact that it is one of the most tourist-accessible places of worship from ancient Egypt. Due to safety measures, tourists are not allowed on the topmost places. Still one can totally enjoy the visuals in front of the main entrance.
These classifications are not ending alls. We can also divide them into Egyptian Sites, where we can get into details. That is why we offer guides with multiple language skills and experience in Egyptology to help you see your dream destination with new eyes and fall in love with Egypt as we do…
Egypt Tour Packages give you the chance to experience Egypt’s history and best attractions. Egyptian Temples have a lot in store.
Get yourself a camera, extra storage and batteries because you find are too many things to capture. The paints, the reliefs, the carvings, all add up to give Dandara the stroke of beauty that leads straight into the heart without any condition. Visit Nile Holiday to book your tour to the Temple of Dandara.
